Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says “there’s no sense” to the groin injury afflicting star player Cole Palmer.Â
The playmaker missed over two months of action after sustaining the problem against Manchester United in September.
A freak toe injury delayed his return, which he made during the 3-1 defeat to Leeds United at the beginning of December. He started in last week’s goalless draw with Bournemouth and was rested for the trip to Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, indicating he could feature against Everton on Saturday.
Cole Palmer injury makes no ‘sense’ to Chelsea boss Maresca
However, Maresca admitted in his pre-match press conference that Palmer had “mixed feelings” after training this week.
“It’s the groin,” said the Italian. “Hopefully not something to manage all season, but it’s day by day. Some days he’s better, some days worse.
“For instance, after Leeds he was completely bad the day after and played half an hour. After Bournemouth he was okay and played an hour. There’s not any sense to it, it’s how he feels day by day.”
Maresca added there has been no talk inside the club of Palmer needing surgery to correct the issue, but says he lacks the match fitness to play every three days.
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After being rested against Leeds, Chelsea captain Reece James played 90 minutes in midfield against both Bournemouth and Atalanta. This is due to Moises Caicedo serving a three-match ban, which ends after this week’s game, and the absence of Romeo Lavia.
Maresca suggested the 26-year-old, who normally plays at right-back, could start for a third time row, adding: “We need Reece, not only in this game, but in all games.”
Meanwhile, there was no update on an exact timeline for Liam Delap’s return after the striker suffered a shoulder injury against the Cherries.
“We don’t know yet. It can be two, three or four weeks. We don’t know exactly how many days he needs.”
Wesley Fofana, on the other hand, is available for selection after recovering from an eye injury. “He’s available, he’s fine. He took part in the session yesterday and is completely fine.”
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